The Problems of Overpopulation

1
The Problems of Overpopulation
Chapter 9
2
Population and Quality of Life

• Environmental degradation
• Hunger
• Persistent poverty
• Economic stagnation
• Urban deterioration
• Health issues

Primary problems with overpopulation
3
Population and Quality of Life

• Population and World Hunger

4
Population and Quality of Life

• Different proposed strategies for reducing
  hunger
• 1) Strictly control population growth
• 2) Stimulate economic development
• 3) Provide better equitability of resources

5
Population and Quality of Life

• Economic Effects of
  Continued Population Growth
• Competing hypotheses
• Hyp 1 Rapid population growth ? ?economic
  development ?technological innovation.
• Hyp 2 Rapid population growth does the opposite.

6
Population and Quality of Life

• Economic Effects of
  Continued Population Growth
• Debt in Developing Countries

7
Reducing the Total Fertility Rate

• Why is Total Fertility Typically High?
• Gender defined roles
• High fertility to compensate for high mortality
• Work expectations of children
• Religious beliefs

8
Reducing the Total Fertility Rate

• The Social and Economic Status of Women
• Gender inequity is common worldwide

9
Reducing the Total Fertility Rate

• The Social and Economic Status of Women
• Gender inequity is common worldwide
• Younger age of marriage ? ? fertility rates

10
Reducing the Total Fertility Rate

• The Social and Economic Status of Women
• Gender inequity is common worldwide
• Younger age of marriage ? ? fertility rates
• Higher level of education ? ? fertility rates

11
Reducing the Total Fertility Rate

• Family Planning Services

12
Government Policies and Fertility

• Chinas Controversial Family Planning Policy

Main problems with policy Eroded personal
freedom Disproportionate number of males born
13
Government Policies and Fertility

• Indias Severe Population Pressure
• Early efforts centered on compulsory
  sterilization.
• (which was a complete failure)
• Currently attempting to integrate economic
  development and family planning.
• (total fertility rates have dropped)

14
Government Policies and Fertility

• Mexicos Young Age Structure
• Strong positive population growth momentum due to
  high young.
• Government measures (e.g., education reform) have
  reduced the fertility rate.

15
Government Policies and Fertility

• The Population Challenge in Nigeria
• Most populous African country with high a
  fertility rate.
• Birth control use very low (8).
• Government attempting to improve health care and
  encourage marrying later.

16
Government Policies and Fertility

• Population Concerns in Europe
• Opposite of most areas fertility rate very low.
• Pronatalists predict overwhelmed pension programs
  and loss of economic growth.
• Opponents predict technological innovations will
  spur economic growth and the elderly will be
  asset to society.

17
Government Policies and Fertility

• Case-in-Point The Global Summit on Population
  and Development
• Focused on
• Reproductive rights
• Empowerment of women
• Reproductive health

18
Achieving Population Stabilization

• Discuss some of the ethical issues associated
  with overpopulation
• Is it ethical to have more than 2 children?
• Is it ethical to consume to much in the way
  of material possessions?
• Is it ethical to try to influence a couples
  decision about family size?